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John Kruk Gives Blunt Perspective on Phillies Bullpen Situation

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Mike Ostrowski | Last updated Apr 22, 2025 10:20 AM ET

The Phillies' current color commentator may be a self-described homer, but he knows how to keep things real when the team is struggling too.

That's exactly what John Kruk did during the Phillies postgame show Monday night. When asked about the state of the club's bullpen following their loss to the New York Mets, Kruk didn't sugarcoat anything.

"Well, it's not been pretty," Kruk said. "Let's be honest. I don't know as a manager - it was a two-run game in the seventh when (Rob Thomson) had to bring (José) Ruiz in... does he bring in a late-inning guy, (José) Alvarado or (Matt) Strahm who's been pitching well? Do you bring in one of those guys in the seventh inning, and then what do you have for eight and nine?"

"I really don't know the answer to the bullpen right now, other than Alvarado and Strahm."

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Ruiz gave up what would be the game-winning home run to Francisco Lindor, after Thomson tried to stretch Aaron Nola's start into the seventh. While Philly was only down two runs when he was put in, they really didn't have many better options than someone with an ERA over 6 - an awful admission to make for a fancied World Series contender.

After Monday night's loss, the Phillies' bullpen has the second-worst ERA (5.80) in MLB. Only the Washington Nationals are higher.

Their three left-handed relievers - Alvarado, Strahm, and Tanner Banks - are the only ones with sub-3 ERAs. Orion Kerkering, who was fantastic in his rookie season, is up to a 4.50 mark to start 2025. Ruiz, Joe Ross, Carlos Hernández, and Jordan Romano are all over 6.

It's quickly become an achilles heel for a team that has one of the deepest starting rotations in baseball. Aside from Nola, the starters have been excellent.

Jesús Luzardo, Taijuan Walker, and Cristopher Sánchez all have sub-3 ERAs, and Zack Wheeler's is only slightly higher because of a defensive miscue that was ruled a hit. The staff has 155 total strikeouts - 21 ahead of the San Francisco Giants for the most in MLB.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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